Standing at the heart of the "Cultural Capital of Kerala," Vadakkunnathan Temple is one of the oldest and largest Shiva temples in the state. Surrounded by massive stone walls and four monumental timber gateways (Gopurams), the 9-acre complex is a masterpiece of Vastu Shastra.
The temple was awarded the UNESCO Award for Excellence in 2015 for the preservation of its heritage architecture.
Unlike other Shiva Lingams, the one at Vadakkunnathan is never visible. It is covered by a massive mound of ghee (clarified butter) from centuries of offerings (Neyyabhishekam). Surprisingly, despite the heat and the passage of time, the ghee never melts and never emits an odour, forming a solid, spiritually potent mountain over the deity.
While the temple itself is silent during the world-famous Thrissur Pooram, the festival takes place in the 'Thekkinkadu Maidan' (the grove of teak trees) that surrounds the temple. It was the visionary King Sakthan Thampuran who chose this site as the stage for the greatest festival of elephants and percussion in the world.
The temple houses one of Kerala\'s finest traditional theaters with elaborate wood carvings and copper roofing.
The walls of the Sreekovil are decorated with ancient 400-year-old murals depicting the life of Shiva.
Sacred sites nearby to continue your spiritual journey.
